A FUND-RAISING campaign to help an Exminster family whose 200-year-old home came crashing down has raised almost £9,000.

Weeks after the gable end of cob built Orchard Cottage collapsed, owner Sally Williams has thanked everyone who supported her and her family.

Donations have been spent on securing the property, scaffolding, securing the site, architects, surveyors, engineers and fees to reinstate the wall.

Sally says she is ‘truly grateful’ to her friend Elaine Bowler for arranging the fund raising page and those who donated.

She has lived in the cottage for 25 years this month.

Sally explained: ‘During that time, the cottage has seen considerable investment and transformation, with money spent on updating the electrics, plumbing, extending, replacing the kitchen and bathroom, decorating, gardening.

‘In February, after the wettest winter recorded in Devon since 1903, we faced the challenge of the collapse of the gable end.

‘The 200 year old cob had soaked up as much moisture as it could bear, and the exterior wall gave way, making the house suddenly much more draughty.

‘The last few weeks have been filled with visits from engineers, cob experts, surveyors, builders and architects, to establish the cause of the collapse, and work out the best way of reinstating and rebuilding.

‘How lucky that we’re surrounded by so many talented people in Exminster.’

However, she is also facing a battle with insurers who refused her claim due to various reasons including the damage was not during a name storm and the wind speed was not in excess of 55mph.

But she has lodged complaints and appealed the decision.

She said: ‘I’m so grateful my family and I weren’t physically hurt when the wall came down although the emotional toll has been rather heavy.

‘I’m also grateful for the overwhelming support from family, friends, neighbours, our amazing community, and even complete strangers, who have come forward with offers of shelter, food, skills, time, expertise and financial support. Thank you all.’